The 10 Best Push Lawn Mowers

We spent 42 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top picks for this wiki. Whether you have a small yard or prefer a bit of a workout when tidying up your property, one of these push lawn mowers will get the job done, while simultaneously keeping your grass healthy and well-manicured. We've included a variety of electric, gas-powered, and manual models with large cutting decks and durable wheels for maneuvering across a variety of terrains.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work.
Skip to the best push lawn mower on Amazon.

We spent 42 hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top picks for this wiki. Whether you have a small yard or prefer a bit of a workout when tidying up your property, one of these push lawn mowers will get the job done, while simultaneously keeping your grass healthy and well-manicured. We've included a variety of electric, gas-powered, and manual models with large cutting decks and durable wheels for maneuvering across a variety of terrains.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to support our work.
Skip to the best push lawn mower on Amazon.

9. Fiskars Staysharp Plus

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The Fiskars Staysharp Plus uses a patent-pending inertia drive reel that provides up to 75 percent more cutting power than many of its competitors. The precision-ground, hardened steel blades help reduce friction and eliminate the need for annual sharpening.

8. American 1204

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The American 1204 works wonders on turf grasses such as bluegrass, fescue, and rye. It features an adjustable, three-section roller, sturdy 8.5-inch high-impact polymer wheels with molded treads, and a tempered alloy steel reel and bed knife blade for gentle and even cuts.

7. Gardena 4023

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The Gardena 4023 has a convenient 2-point folding handle that makes it easy to transport or store away in the garage when not in use. Its contact-free trimming technique leverages a hardened steel cylinder with a ground bottom blade for delivering clean and precise cuts.

6. Sun Joe MJ401E

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Weighing only 29 pounds, the Sun Joe MJ401E is an extremely lightweight option with rugged, all-terrain wheels and a 14-inch steel blade to take care of swaths of grass in tight spaces. A detachable, 10.6-gallon grass catcher makes disposing of clippings a painless affair.

5. Remington RM1159

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Uniquely-shaped and extremely user-friendly, the Remington RM1159 boasts an offset trimmer head with a large cutting diameter designed for easy access to any hard-to-reach locations in the yard, including fences and garden beds. A 2-year limited warranty is included.

4. GreenWorks 25022

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The GreenWorks 25022 is equipped with a combination of a sturdy 20-inch cutting deck, a powerful 12-amp motor, and extra-wide rear wheels, all of which work together to ensure superior maneuverability and effortless shaping of virtually any type or length of grass.

3. Snapper XD

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Powered by a Briggs & Stratton lithium-ion battery, the Snapper XD provides a combination of easy push-button operation and up to 45 minutes of uninterrupted running time. A single-lever height adjustment allows you to choose from up to seven different cutting positions.

2. Makita XML02Z

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The Makita XML02Z leverages innovative Star Protection Technology, whereby the mower and its battery exchange data with one another in real time, preventing possible overloads and overheating. An aerodynamic cover and ball bearings minimize the required pushing force.

1. Ego Power+ Cordless

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Capable of mowing up to two miles on a single charge, the Ego Power+ Cordless has a durable, weather-resistant construction and runs up to 30 percent quieter than its gas-powered brethren. A 3-in-1 design allows for side-discharge, mulching, and rear bagging operation.

Grooming The Grass With Manpowered Precision

In so doing, the bed knife positions the grass blades vertically as the mower passes over them.

If you're looking for a good workout that puts you in the driver's seat with respect to superior lawn care, then a push mower is an ideal solution.

There is no denying the fact that proper lawn maintenance requires strategic planning and use of the right equipment to get the job done. Keeping grass healthy requires more than just ensuring it gets plenty of water. For example, varying your directional mowing pattern each time you cut is beneficial to the grass, as it helps prevent the formation of ruts due to soil compaction from the mower's wheels. Cutting only the top third section of each grass blade ensures its continued growth and ability to support a deeply-formed root system for longevity. If you're looking for a good workout that puts you in the driver's seat with respect to superior lawn care, then a push mower is an ideal solution.

A lawn mower is a machine equipped with one or several rotating blades that are designed to trim grass to a uniform height. Push mowers exemplify this definition with three available configurations: manual reel, electric, and gas-powered machines. The reel push mower features both a stationary bed knife and several rapidly-rotating, spiral-shaped cutting blades. These cutting blades are welded to supports and mounted to a shaft, forming a horizontally positioned cylinder right above the bed knife. The bed knife has a sharpened edge and a flat top surface that comes into contact with the rotating blades as the mower is pushed. Think of the cutting action between the bed knife and mower blades like a pair of scissors.

Acting as one of our hypothetical scissor blades, the sharpened edge of the mower's bed knife pushes against each blade of grass. In so doing, the bed knife positions the grass blades vertically as the mower passes over them. The machine's cutting blades act as the second half of our scissors, rotating in very close proximity to the bed knife's edge in order to complete the cut. The result is a clean, even-looking trim across the top of a lawn.

A push mower powered with an electric motor offers the benefit of a rechargeable internal battery for cordless operation.

The gas-powered push mower makes use of an internal combustion engine with a recoil starter to help power its cutting blades. Unlike the manual reel mower, many of these powered push-behind options make it easy to groom large, uneven areas of land without having to upgrade to something as big as a riding mower, as snazzy-looking as it is. Both electric and gas-powered mowers are often equipped with rotating horizontal blades at the base of their cutting decks. These blades are designed to trim large diameters of grass in a single pass.

One of the major benefits of using a push mower is that the machine is usually designed not to tear or shred grass or other plants as it operates. Instead, its resulting cuts are both clean and conservative in nature, allowing the lawn to maintain its resiliency for continued growth and strengthening of its underground root system.

The Best Path For Mowing Your Green Highway

If you have a small yard with flat terrain, opt for a manual reel or electric-powered machine. Both are relatively quiet with fewer components to malfunction. They are also environmentally friendly. But don't ignore the convenience of a gas-powered push mower either. While fuel is required, this mower still comes in handy when greater cutting power is needed to stay ahead of thick brush and overgrowth.

If you take the gas-powered route, make note of the type of engine with which the machine is equipped.

The electric push mower isn't very practical for trimming large, hilly areas when forced to recharge its internal battery frequently. The manual reel mower may also cause you fatigue when trying to cover large swaths of land. The moral of the story here is to be aware of your environment and choose the mower that reaps the highest benefit at the lowest cost of convenience. If you take the gas-powered route, make note of the type of engine with which the machine is equipped. A two-stroke engine is lighter in weight, while the four-stroke engine is a bit more powerful and quiet.

Keep the mower's collection system for grass clippings in mind. Some mowers eject their clippings from the sides of their decks, while others have rear-mounted collection bags for mulch. A bag is useful when you plan to use freshly-cut grass shavings for other landscaping needs around your property.

The size and number of wheels should also be considered. For large and overgrown areas requiring constant attention, pick an option that includes four wheels to ensure easy maneuverability through thick brush and over uneven terrain.

Finally, make sure the handle is ergonomically-designed for comfort through extended use. This should be a consideration regardless of how your mower is powered.

A Brief History Of Push Mowers

The lawn mower was first invented in 1830 by English engineers Edwin Beard Budding and John Ferrabee as an easier alternative to the use of scythes on sports grounds and large residential gardens. The first machine was constructed from wrought iron and pushed from behind. The popularity of the lawn mower continued to increase through the 1860s. By 1868, the first United States patent for a reel-type push mower was granted to Connecticut manufacturer Amariah Hills, who later founded the Archimedean Lawn Mower Company in 1871.

The first U.S. gas-powered push mowers were manufactured in 1914 by the Ideal Power Mower Company, which was also responsible for introducing the first self-propelled riding lawn tractor in 1922.

More recent innovations since 2000 have included the robotic mower and high-efficiency cordless electric mowers with improved battery life and charging times.

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Jeff is a dedicated writer and communications professional from San Francisco with a bachelor of arts in anthropology from UC Berkeley. He began his career in computer consulting and later branched out into customer service. Jeff focuses on making complex topics easy to understand. With over 10 years' experience in research, his relentless curiosity fuels a love of writing and learning how things work, and has helped to build expertise in categories such as heavy-duty power tools and computer equipment. Jeff's passion for animals affords him a strong understanding of pet products, including dog houses, beds, and grain-free foods. When he's not writing, he prefers spending time with his family and three dogs, while kicking back and relaxing with a nice glass of red wine.

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